Aiming device for pitchers

ABSTRACT

A baseball training device for use in improving pitching skills, particularly aiming skills while pitching, the device comprising an elongated member of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer and forming a loop, and a receptacle secured to the elongated member, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the wearer.

[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for assisting persons to learn sports skills and, more particularly, to devices for assisting persons to learn pitching skills for playing the game of baseball.

[0002] A baseball pitcher uses his front shoulder as an aiming device. A pitcher's shoulders should remain relatively level and perpendicular to the batter's box or home plate during his windup and delivery of the baseball. If either during his windup or delivery of the ball, his shoulders are not level and perpendicular, the pitcher will seriously inhibit his ability to control the baseball. When he lifts his front shoulder or purposely drops the back shoulder in an attempt to generate more power, he will essentially be throwing uphill or incorrectly. A pitcher needs to release the baseball in a downward motion with his hand on the back of the ball and not under the ball.

[0003] Another problem that inevitably comes up when the pitcher drops his rear shoulder is arm hooking. Arm hooking occurs when a pitcher puts his arm behind his back prior to delivery of the ball. When a pitcher maintains the perpendicular to home plate, he utilizes his front shoulder as a guide for his throwing arm. If he should fly the front shoulder or open it too much laterally, he loses the front shoulder as a directional for the throwing arm. Keeping the front shoulder as an aiming device allows the pitcher to have a consistent release point. This also creates an enhanced ability to control the baseball.

[0004] In addition, a pitcher's front arm or non-pitching arm should never go below his waist. Further, when throwing the baseball, the front arm should stay as close to his waist as possible to maintain the front shoulder directional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It therefore is a feature of the subject invention to provide a device for assisting persons to learn pitching skills for playing the game of baseball.

[0006] It also is a feature of the subject invention to provide a device for assisting persons to improve aiming skills when pitching in the game of baseball.

[0007] Briefly, the present invention comprehends in its broader aspects a baseball training device for use in improving pitching skills, particularly aiming skills while pitching, the device comprising an elongated member of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer and form a loop, and a receptacle secured to the elongated member, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the wearer.

[0008] The present invention further comprehends a baseball training device for use in improving pitching skills, particularly aiming skills while pitching, the device comprising an elongated member of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer and having two distil ends, a fastener for engaging the two distal ends of the elongated member so as to form a loop, and a receptacle secured to the elongated member, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings,

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball player wearing an embodiment of the training device in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates in another perspective view of a baseball player wearing the embodiment of the training device of the invention and as shown in FIG. 1, and

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a baseball player wearing another embodiment of the training device in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the training device 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongated member 10, preferably a flexible elongated member such as a belt, webbing or the like, of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer 12 and and a receptacle 14 secured to the elongated member, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the non-pitching arm 16 of the wearer. Receptacle 14 preferably is a triangular shaped pouch as shown in which the interior of the pouch is approximately contoured to the shape of an elbow bent to 90° or less. Preferably, but not necessarily, device 1 includes one or more shoulder straps 18 which extend from the elongated member at the front of the wearer 12, over the shoulder of the wearer, and to the elongated member at the back of the wearer. One shoulder strap 18 may be sufficient, but two straps are preferable.

[0014] Another embodiment of the training device in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. Baseball training device 20 comprises an elongated member 10 of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer and having two distil ends, a fastener 22 for engaging the two distal ends of the elongated member so the member forms a loop. As in the above embodiment, device 20 has receptacle 14 secured to the elongated member 10, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the non-pitching arm of the wearer.

[0015] Preferably, but not necessarily, device 20 includes one or more shoulder straps 18 which extend from the elongated member at the front of the wearer 12, over the shoulder of the wearer, and to the elongated member at the back of the wearer. One shoulder strap 18 may be sufficient, but two straps are preferable.

[0016] It is to be noted that the wearer 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 does not have a bent elbow of the non-pitching arm in receptacle 14.

[0017] Device may be made of any suitable material such as leather, cloth, rubber and/or polymeric materials. Device 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be molded as a one-piece unit from polymeric materials or the like.

[0018] While there has been shown and described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

It is claimed:
 1. A baseball training device for use in improving pitching skills, the device comprising an elongated member of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer and form a loop, and a receptacle secured to the elongated member, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the wearer.
 2. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member is a flexible elongated member.
 3. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein device includes one or more shoulder straps which extend from the elongated member at the front of the wearer, over the shoulder of the wearer, and to the elongated member at the back of the wearer.
 4. A baseball training device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a triangular shaped pouch in which the interior of the pouch is approximately contoured to the shape of an elbow bent to 90° or less.
 5. A baseball training device for use in improving aiming skills while pitching, the device comprising an elongated member of at least a length to extend about the waist of a wearer and having two distil ends, a fastener for engaging the two distal ends of the elongated member so as to form a loop, and a receptacle secured to the elongated member, the receptacle adapted to receive a bent elbow of the wearer.
 6. A baseball training device according to claim 5, wherein the elongated member is a flexible elongated member.
 7. A baseball training device according to claim 6, wherein device includes one or more shoulder straps which extend from the elongated member at the front of the wearer, over the shoulder of the wearer, and to the elongated member at the back of the wearer.
 8. A baseball training device according to claim 7, wherein the receptacle comprises a triangular shaped pouch in which the interior of the pouch is approximately contoured to the shape of an elbow bent to 90° or less. 